Mayweather appeared to usher in a new era of mutual respect when he spoke in glowing terms about Pacquiao over the summer - and the eight-division champion responded by conceding he would be willing to accept a 45% split of the money if they fought. Previously, the distribution of cash had proved an insurmountable obstacle.

However, earlier this week Mayweather claimed his rival was both "declining" and "desperate", while Pacquiao reckons the unbeaten American simply does not want the fight.

"If the fight doesn't happen, it's not my fault. I'm not going to accuse him of being greedy or judge him. It's hard to judge. It's his title, it's his life, [but] I believe he is avoiding me," Pacquiao said, according to boxingscene.com.

Meanwhile, Pacquiao's promoter Bob Arum has suggested his charge has been below his best in the early days of sparring ahead of a Juan Manuel Marquez clash next month.

"He's in great spirits, his conditioning is good, but he showed a great deal of rust in his first sparring session," Arum said. "Not slow, just rusty. Freddie says that happens all the time with him when he first starts sparring."